Specialist is trying to go to WLC but getting denied. Can he do anything?

2015-05-17T15:41:43-04:00

This is a long confusing situation so please bear with me…

This Soldier got a DUI 2yrs ago & lost his log on credentials. Got the punishment & everything that came with it. He has since cleaned up his act, got his licenses back & done everything he could to show he is ready for the board.

They told him he cannot go to the board till he has log on credentials to the computer since he will need it at WLC. Meaning having his own user name/password instead of signing on as a Guest.

They say they can give him "temporary" access but it takes time to process & it has to be "timed" right when he goes to WLC since it expires in a short time frame, which apparently 4mths later they still can't figure out how to do all this to be able to send him. From what I remember you couldn't get your own username/password till you became an E5 (Fort Bragg was like that). Not sure how each unit works.

I've asked him if his unit gives him a monthly counseling of why he can't go to the board, has not received one. He has tried using the open door policy but it stops at Platoon level or Company Commander, still not receiving any answers.

He shouldn't of screwed up you're right before anyone says anything but he made a mistake & has learned as well changed in the last 2 years. He gets out next year & wishes to stay in progressing. His Platoon SGT seems to be holding a grudge (personal opinion from a few) or they are just stringing him along.

Unless he makes points to be promoted (since he has done the board) & they have to force him to WLC is that the only way?

What can this Soldier do in order to be able to go to WLC?

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 17 at 2015 3:53 PM

2015-05-17T15:53:34-04:00

Army Regulation 600-8-19, Enlisted Promotions and Reductions — this is the best starting point. If you feel the Soldier is being treated unjust after attempting to use chain of command look to JAG or IG as a last result.

Response by SFC Stephen King made May 17 at 2015 4:00 PM

2015-05-17T16:00:27-04:00

Your welcome ensure he has exhausted all other avenues of approach.

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made May 17 at 2015 4:43 PM

2015-05-17T16:43:05-04:00

At some point this individual will become fed up and leave and become yet another statistic. Yes many of us "screw the pooch" one time or another in our careers. I was a Captain for 10 years - due to my own stupidity. But if you make amends, mend your ways and walk the straight and narrow, the CofC should reinstate their trust and allow you to progress. This sounds like "zero tolerance for mistakes". Treatment like this eventually leads to attitude problems and the SM potentially slipping back to their old ways.

I've never heard of losing log on credentials to a computer system as part of punishment. What system are they barred from that would be needed ad WLT - I've been out for a while so I'm not up to speed on all the changes. This sounds damaging, especially if it prohibits the soldier access to training, as opposed to punishment.

Another step you could try using the open door policies is, in order, for the SM to request meetings with the PSG, 1SG and CSM. At each step if the SM can't get answers or is inhibited, then they request a meeting at the next level. If there truly is someone holding a grudge, going through this process SHOULD vet that out. Insure the SM is coached prior to, uniformed appropriately and acts professionally at each meeting. Insure they have written documentation showing their rehabilitation and return to good standing and their points, etc. to show they are eligible to attend school.

Hope this helps.

Response by COL Jason Smallfield, PMP, CFM, CM made May 17 at 2015 4:54 PM

2015-05-17T16:54:31-04:00

A few thoughts:
- There is a process and a procedure for most everything within the Army. Whether or not the individual and/or his/her chain of command are complying with the process and procedure is a separate issue.
- Enlisting in the military is a privilege, not a right. A right is something that all US Citizens are entitled to because we are citizens. Examples of rights include what is in the Bill of Rights. Examples of privileges include driving. The military discriminates on the basis of age, physical ability, medical status, and a person's record.
- Staying in the military, going to advancing levels of professional military education (PME), and getting promoted within the military are also privileges and not rights. These privileges are exercised (or not) based upon several factors to include performance, potential, and other factors.
- Attendance to PME involves several things but at a basic level it is a combination of cost benefit analysis and return on investment. Stated another way, the Army will invest in the cost of educating a Soldier with limited funds/resources as long as the organization sees a tangible benefit (increased competence of the Soldier) and as long as the organization receives a tangible return on the investment usually measured as some sort of increased service obligation.
- Hard to provide an specific educated and informed response to the limited information provided but a DUI is hard to overcome in today's environment as the Army draws down. Why should the Army invest limited resources into a Soldier who has a DUI assuming all other factors are equal to another Soldier who has never received a DUI?

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 5:00 PM

2015-05-17T17:00:18-04:00

I'm confused. Log on and credentials for what? That seems like that is the driving issue.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 5:05 PM

2015-05-17T17:05:36-04:00

If what you said is all the information there is an issue here and I would recommend the I G for further guidance.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made May 17 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-05-17T17:16:39-04:00

This case doesn't sound right to me, but I don't know all of the metrics. JAG is your best option based on your example. I won't say I agree with every thing said in these comments, because I don't. We have all screwed up in our careers at some point, to include officers. Many of those violators learned hard lessons and went on to become great mentors and leaders because of their screw ups. They were able to convey their own experiences to the youngsters and send a valuable message that will resonate through the ranks. However, in this day and age of our service, downsize and the senior leaderships unrealistic expectation of a "perfect" Soldier, any infraction that involves a serious case such as DUI, it can be a career ender despite his otherwise good service record. ( I'm not defending this action, he could have killed someone. And I'm sure this wasn't first time...) It is highly probable that his career is done. Senior leaders are being pushed out for less serious infractions so don't think that SPC Snuffy is exempt. There was a time in our Army where if Soldier pissed hot, they could be rehabilitated IF the command so chose. Not the case now. It is sad that his mistake is still following him, it should not 2 years later. He should be afforded every opportunity to move past this serious infraction and progress. Unfortunately, he may be condemned to ETS. Good luck.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made May 17 at 2015 7:03 PM

2015-05-17T19:03:29-04:00

I think the problem lies in that opening sentence, "He a got DUI." We used to call those "Career Killers." Even if the kid has straightened out, he's competing against those who have no mis-steps on their records. As far as any road-blocks, I would recommend that he request mast (telling the chain of command that you're about to jump 'em) or, as others have noted, request an IG. Going with either of these two methods should indentify & isolate the problem.